I went to Sittingbourne on Sunday in time for Pete’s 21st birthday. We went on a pub crawl around Minster, which was better than the rest of us had anticipated. It was quiet, but thoroughly enjoyable. None of us got that drunk apart from Carly, who remembers very little about her tirades and losing her shoe.
I stayed for Monday too. I spent much of the day in Herne Bay, at Pete, Donna and Russell’s new place. We went off to play crazy golf on the seafront; I lost to James by five shots, though that was largely down to playing the ball out of bounds. And that couldn’t have been my fault…
In the last leg of my return journey I took the bus back home to Cramlington. We didn’t get far before someone else on the top deck began complaining to the bus driver about some unruly children. I believe they were throwing around bits of newspaper, being mouthy and swearing. The bus driver pulled over, came up to warn the children, but to no avail. He started driving again but the kids continued, and the bloke went down to complain again. The bus pulled over, but soon set off again. The man came back up and shouted, "The only reason why the driver won’t chuck you off is because you’re kids!"
So this probably wasn’t the best example of how to treat a mutiny on the bus.
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We had to get up early again to ensure we got to Narita Airport on time. The Narita Express took us direct from Shibuya to the airport in a little more than an hour. The cost of the journey cleaned me out with regard to yen, save about 30 yen, roughly equivalent to 12p. After checkin, which took the best part of three quarters of an hour, we headed for the indoor mall in the terminal. We had sushi again, which was slightly less fresh, but nice nonetheless. Again I elected not to get too adventurous and opted to steer clear of the salmon roe: I thought it would be best not to tank myself up with weird fishy stuff before embarking on a twelve hour flight.
After buying Mum a Miffy doll and after Weiran bought some weird spongy stuff from the duty free, we got onto the plane. Our seats were similar to those we had on the way to Japan, only slightly further back, and Waz let me have the window seat this time. The take off was a little smoother: no wild panicked descent this time, which was good. I watched Notes On A Scandal starring Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, and That Mitchell And Webb Look starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. Both were also good.
As the plane approached England, I was amazed by how much I could recognise from the skies. There were few clouds, and I could make out the Isle Of Sheppey (in all its ‘glory’) and Sittingbourne in outline. As we got to London, we recognised several landmarks, including the Millennium Dome, White Hart Lane, Wimbledon, Twickenham and Canary Wharf. The landing was bouncy but not too bad.
I got to Kings Cross with an hour and a half to spare before my train departed. I had another wait for the bus when I arrived in Newcastle. It was foolish of me not to expect some sort of drunk coming onto the last bus out of Newcastle… and she sat next to me. After trying to engage in conversation with me, she began ringing everyone in her phonebook. I was becoming wary that she might follow me off the bus, but fortunately she didn’t. Perhaps she didn’t know where she was at all. But I made it home safe anyway!
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Today was different – I packed a lot in, certainly. I got up about twenty past six this morning for my last exam. It turned out better than I had anticipated, and my nerves before the exam were settled by looking at the past paper on the bus. Got there rather early, and having not eaten that morning I was starving by the end of the exam.
Anyway, I eventually got home – no thanks to Arriva’s buses, who rarely get through a day without at least one bus breaking down. And since a 20% hike in bus fares has been introduced, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. Anyway, got home, had soup and rolls, watched cricket and fell asleep for a couple of hours. I woke up just in time for grandma and grandad coming. Grandad took me to the doctors: all clear, but I can only give blood every 12 months now, unfortunately.
Had fish and chips à la freezer for tea then Jeanette (from upstairs) came round. This was due to a mix-up of dates, so I had scampi and chips… for tea. So I am stuffed.
I also feel rather guilty tonight because I have asked Pete and Donna whether I can stay round theirs. To compound on my cheekiness, I proposed I stay from next Friday to the following Thursday. I didn’t stay long enough last time, but I think that might be too long, because the flat isn’t very big and I will probably get in the way.
So (tentatively) I’m coming down to Sittingbourne!
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I followed my own advice I posted this morning. I looked out of the window of the bus, and I noticed something I hadn’t before. I saw some wild rabbits lazily soaking the morning rays just off one of the junctions from the A1. I hadn’t noticed them there before.
There isn’t much else to report. I am relieved that there are no more assignments to be done this academic year. Thank goodness!
There is a chance I might be paying Sittingbourne a visit, which has perked me up no end! I hope it happens, but whether it happens is pretty circumstancial, things have to fall into place.
Anyway, I’m off now: I’m watching the opening ceremony of the European Cup Final – it’s crap, but it’s part of the sad old tradition…
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I have just received my first magazine from Codes & Ciphers SIG. Many of you won’t know what that means, so to compound your misery further, i idee rhptncsa hhtl tveieeee rsnvvc escee. If you manage to decrypt that, well done, I owe you a hug or a kiss or something. This would be the equivalent of winning the lottery because these two are sought after items (or they are rare, at least!).
Oh such a long day. Very hot too – especially on the bus. Sitting on a humid, air-deprived tin on wheels does little to your mood first thing in the morning. But I got through it ok, with the help of a bacon roll.
Had a cheeseburger and orange juice for lunch. I’m turning into a lard-arse (or pie-boy, if you will 
). But it’s all for the iron. Also had an ice cream in the afternoon with the Maths Crew on the grass soaking in the Sun… a great day.
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